My Most Recent Ride 2010 (Part III of the series)

Re: My Most Recent Ride - 2010

Thank you and glad you enjoyed it!

The picture with Loke's head out the window was a fun one I thought. Every time I looked in the rearview mirror and saw him, I had to grin. Finally decided I HAD to try and get a picture of it. Took me 5 tries to get the camera aimed right since I couldn't use the view finder at that angle with the big Canon.

He used to never do that, but something about this trip seemed to get him started. When we kept the window closed because there was just too much gravel which could ping up and hit him or we were going too fast, he'd sulk with these deep, beleagured sighs every few minutes.

Next post up btw!!

Terii

 

Re: My Most Recent Ride - 2010

I enjoyed it also!

 

Re: My Most Recent Ride - 2010

Glad to hear that, Jon! As if I need encouragement to ramble...

Next post up about the final ride of the trip.

http://terii.wordpress.com/

Terii

 

Re: My Most Recent Ride - 2010

A nice fairly flat ride today with the Venom. Overcast when we started at 7am and stayed that way until 10a. The winds were very light at first but built up until we were flying along with a great tailwind. After 30 miles we had an 18.8 mph average.

However, the good must be taken with the bad. Once we turned around we had that nice strong wind in our face all the way back. Ended up with a 16.0 average and I was happy to have it.

 

Re: My Most Recent Ride - 2010

Well, I rode last Friday and I rode today. That is the most I have ridden in TWO MONTHS!!!

Good news is with the slightly cooler weather (80s instead of 90s) and lower humidity, it isn't bad riding. I plan to put a lot of miles on my bent in anticipation of the Jack and Back ride in October!!!

Still love my new V Rex. Besides a squealing front brake which I am having a dickens of a time getting rid of (replaced rims, replaced brake pads, toed in checks, etc...), the rest of the bent is dialed in nicely and ready for the ride.

(Hey Buddy, you have any of the WD-40 left? That may take the squeal out of my brakes!)

 

Re: My Most Recent Ride - 2010

Jon,

Is it possible there is a problem with the brake arms themselves? Can't really see how that would cause your noise but it seams you have tried everything else.

Another route would be a disc brake. You might be able to get a Brake Therapy disc adapter for your front wheel. That way you can put an Avid BB7 disc brake on the front and viola, no more squealing brake pads. I got one of these from Doc to retrofit a disc brake to the rear wheel of the Limo. Pricey but it works like a charm.

If all else fails have disc brake tabs welded on the fork then get it repowder coated. Or, replace the fork with one that already has disc tabs on it.

 

Re: My Most Recent Ride - 2010

Today was one of the nicest weather days in a long while. I burned half of one of many vacation days on hand. Just rode the Jefferson City and back across Morristown loop. Longest ride in 2010, but a pitiful 45 miles. And took me all afternoon at that. I am so out of condition.

A long time ago we started posting "things no one ever told me about cycling." Don't know if I can find it again, but add another:
It's less expensive to topcoat a parking lot than repave it. A good contractor will apply crack-sealer prior to the one or two sealer coats. The topcoat sealer is very thin, but can be slick. But the crack-sealer is fairly thick, at least a couple of millimeters. It also takes months for it to harden. A bicycle tire exerts a great deal of sideways force when turning. DO NOT execute a turn with any degree of sharpness while crossing the crack-seal. This stuff will shift and rip the bike right out from under your butt and lay it in on the ground!

This almost happened to me tonight. Felt like sombody hit me in the rear wheel. Fortunately I had only crossed a couple of crack-sealed spaces at right angles in a turn, so the tires gripped within a second and held. Similar to "always cross railroad tracks at right angles."

You have been warned. I actually dumped the bike several years ago in a moderate-speed turn in a newly topcoated parking lot. At the time I blamed it on the topcoat. Looking back now, it probably was the crack-seal.

Dave

 

Re: My Most Recent Ride - 2010

Never tried WD-40 on a squeal. Think I'd change brake pads a couple more times. Mike has some good ideas too. Can't go wrong with disc brakes.

 

Re: My Most Recent Ride - 2010

Buddy's Catrike Pocket is the first bike I've ever ridden with disc brakes. Love 'em. They'll stand you on your nose. My next bike will have 'em if possible.

Dave

 

Re: My Most Recent Ride - 2010

Thanks for the words of wisdom about brakes. Doc is going to work on them AGAIN! And if he can't get the squeal out, then I am ready to go with front and rear disc brakes. The frames already has holes to mount disc brakes. I'll let you know what we eventually do. The front brakes work, it just make noise. So right now, my work around is just to use my rear brakes when stopping unless it is an emergency or steep downhill. That is my hillbilly solution!

 

Re: My Most Recent Ride - 2010

try stick'n a difernt wheel up there. My wedgie was sqeel'n purty bad on the front, jes cud'nt figer it out so i jes put my spare wheel up air one day an she jes shet r ight up!.......

 

Re: My Most Recent Ride - 2010

I had whole new wheels build with Velocity rims.

 

Re: My Most Recent Ride - 2010

Made it THREE work days in a row riding!!! (I started counting last Friday.) Today again beautiful. 87 degree. Humidity has to be low. Sunny skies.

Rode 18 miles of combined roads and greenways. I love it!!! I am MUCH HAPPIER when I ride!!!

 

Re: My Most Recent Ride - 2010

Other than the two laps around Cades Cove, on the celebration of it's new pavement; I had not been on a bike since June 2009. TA DAAAAAAAH, till last night.
I headed out for a ride on some little trail i spotted in Jefferson city. It used to cross AJ highway and follow the tracks into the old quarry, so i thought i could get my legs back on it. I soon found out it no longer goes anywhere and i ended up pedaling down to Stawberry Plains and back as well.No idea how far or how long since i don't keep up with those things but may learn to in the futer so i can chat with y'all.
I think i died at least once before i made it back.
Course since I never claimed to be too smart i am gonna give it another try tomorrow morning. Hopefully the cooler morning air will aid in my attempt. The approximately 200 or so angels in gym shorts that i drove thru this morning should give me the added comfort i need to endure to the end, as it were..........

 

Re: My Most Recent Ride - 2010

Gene, its good to know you are still hanging around. What happened to the Alaska trip?